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How to decrypt whatsapp messages crypt12


How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on Android Without Keys

by Jenefey Aaron   Updated on 2022-05-17 / Update for  WhatsApp Tips

One of the reasons why WhatsApp becomes one of the most popular messaging services is because of the strong security feature. It encrypts messages from end to end, so the only ones who can read those messages are the sender and the receiver - unless someone else can open either the sender’s or receiver’s phones.

But sometimes even the owner of the phone can’t access his/her phones due to technical glitches. If you can’t access your own phone, can you still read your encrypted WhatsApp messages?

  • Part 1. Types of WhatsApp Message Encryptions
  • Part 2. How to Decrypt WhatsApp crypt12/8 Database without Keys?
  • Bonus Tip: How to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android without Root?

Part 1. Types of WhatsApp Message Encryptions

In September 2012, WhatsApp introduced end-to-end encryption as one of its security features. This step is taken to prevent session hijacking and packet analysis which often happened before.

WhatsApp uses crypt2, crypt5, crypt7, crypt8 and crypt12 form to encrypt all data. It means that hacking the database files to read all chat messages has become almost impossible.

But there are tricks that you can use to decrypt the database without key and support files. You can use this method to access your conversations.

Part 2. How to Decrypt WhatsApp crypt12/8 Database without Keys?

The trick below works on reading encrypted WhatsApp messages Android devices. Before you start, you need to do is to create a copy of your WhatsApp database to make sure that you don’t destroy the original file.

To do that, open your Android File Explorer or File Browser. Then create a new folder or the SD card. Then navigate to this location your SD card: /WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt. Then copy the msgstore.db.crypt files into the new folder that you’ve just created.

  • Method 1. (For Rooted Devices) Decrypt WhatsApp Database crypt12 without Key on PC
  • Method 2. (For Unrooted Devices) Read WhatsApp Database crypt12 without Key on PC

Method 1. (For Rooted Devices) Decrypt WhatsApp Database crypt12 without Key on PC

Whatsapp encrypts all data into .crypt5/7/8/12 format. But on a rooted Android phone, you can easily decrypt and read these encrypt messages with Whatsapp Viewer.

  • Find your WhatsApp message backup file i.e. msgstore.db.crypt12 from Device Storage/WhatsApp/Database.

  • Find your Key file which contains the decryption key to decrypt an encrypted file from /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.

  • Connect your phone to your PC and copy the database file with name msgstore.db.cryptX. and key file to your computer.

  • Download and install Whatsapp Viewer on your computer. Open Whatsapp Viewer and go to file > Decrypt .crypt12.

  • Now you have to load your database file and key file. Click on "..." button next to database file box to import it and do the same for Key file. After that, click OK to decrypt the database file.

  • When you see the message "Database decrypted to file msgstore.decrypted.db", the decryption is completed. You will find a file named "msgstore.decrypted.db" in the folder where you stored the database file and key file.

  • Run WhatsApp viewer again and click File>Open. Click on "..." button to import your msgstore.decrypted.db file and click OK.

  • Now you can select the mobile number at the right panel and see the chats of it at the left panel. You can export the in the format of .txt/.html/.json if you want.

Method 2. (For Unrooted Devices) Read WhatsApp Database crypt12 without Key on PC

To decrypt the database into something that understandable for the human, we can use the help from one of the decryption apps available in the Google Play Store. The recommended app that you can use is Omni-crypt . It can easily decrypt WhatsApp Database without root. Please note that to decrypt database above crypt6 version, you would need the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to extract the encryption key.

  • Connect your Android phone to a computer. Download and install Omni-crypt on your Android device.
  • Download WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to your computer from github.com.

  • Open the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and find the file named WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh. Right click on it and select Properties.

  • From the Permissions tab, check the box before Allow executing file as program.

  • After that, running WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh file in Terminal on Mac.

  • When it prompts you to unlock your device and confirm the backup operation, open your Android phone and click BACK UP MY DATA.

  • Waiting for WhatsAppKeyDBExtract to restore WhatsApp and once the operation completed, press Enter to quit the Terminal.

  • Now open Omni-crypt on your Android phone. Tap on ENABLE CRYPT 6-12 BACKUPS and then tap on DECRYPT WHATSAPP DATABASE.

  • Now open WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and go to extracted folder. Here you can see ‘msgstore.db’ and ‘wa.db’ files. ‘msgstore.db’ stores all the messages along with attachments and ‘wa.db’ stores all the information related to the contacts.

  • Use a utility called ‘Whatsapp Viewer’ and give the path of ‘msgstore.db’ and ‘wa.db’. You will see all the chat messages, that were extracted from the database.

Bonus Tip: How to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android without Root?

That’s all about how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages. The steps are a little complicated for ordinary users. If you are looking for a way to read deleted WhatsApp messages, Tenorhare UltData for Android offers you an easy way to recover WhatsApp messages and contacts from Android without root.

  • After you have downloaded the software, you come to the main interface bellow. Click on Recover WhatsApp Data and then connect your mobile to the computer.

  • Then you need to authorize and usb debugging your Android phone to be correctly connected.

  • After the software detects your Android device, click on Start to begin the process.

  • Now it's time to scan and preview what data has been listed. Just choose what you want to recover. Finally, save the files to your computer or device successfully and take a closer look at them.

Summary

Now you have learned about how to decrypt WhatsApp database on Android phone. Even though we are not touching the original databases, there is always a possibility that our actions ruin them. It’s always better to backup your data firstly. And if you are looking for an easy way to read deleted WhatsApp messages on Android without root, Tenorhare UltData for Android is highly recommended.

  Updated on 2022-05-17 / Update for  WhatsApp Tips

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[4 Methods] How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages

The powerful security features like End-to-End encryption makes WhatsApp one of the most reliable and popular apps for communication. It encrypts communications from beginning to end, allowing only the sender and recipient to read the messages. It is not an easy task to decrypt WhatsApp messages.

You can't decrypt WhatsApp messages easily unless you have access to the sender's or receiver's phones. However, if you want to know how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages, then keep reading this article:

  • Part 1. About End-to-End Encryption in WhatsApp

  • Part 2. How Can You See Encrypted Messages?

    • 1. Read All Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Using WooTechy WhatsMover

    • 2. Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Using WhatsApp Web

    • 3. Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages WhatsApp Viewer

    • 4. Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Using Omni-crypt

Part 1. About End-to-End Encryption in WhatsApp

1. What Is End-to-End Encryption?

Encryption is the technique of scrambling and randomizing data using mathematical algorithms so that it can only be decoded by the device for which it was created. Only the sender and receiver have the codes to decipher each other's data in an end-to-end encrypted communication channel.

End-to-end encryption prevents anybody other than the sender and recipient from reading or accessing the data. Nobody can read your communications, not even your ISP, the platform, or a hacker with access to the encrypted data.

According to the company's documentation, almost all your communication on WhatsApp is encrypted end-to-end. Images, calls, messages, voice notes, and even status updates are included. The procedure runs in the background, allowing the sender and recipient to perceive the data in its original state.

2. Can You Read Encrypted Messages?

Yes, you can read WhatsApp encrypted messages. WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption helps to keep your communications private. Yet you can’t read encrypted messages using WhatsApp itself. There are some WhatsApp data management tools that can help you export and read encrypted WhatsApp messages.

3. Can You Turn Off End-to-End Encryption Backup in WhatsApp?

Turning off WhatsApp's end-to-end encrypted backup is just as easy as it is to turn it on. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings. Select Chats and click on Chat Backup. Select the End-to-End Encryption Backup option. Then, on your screen, click the Turn off option.

Part 2. How Can You See Encrypted Messages?

1Read All Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Using WooTechy WhatsMover

To read encrypted WhatsApp messages with a 100% success rate, then you can use a third-party app like WooTechy WhatsMover. This app is so simple that anyone can use it without having to go through technical steps.

WhatsMover allows you to read WhatsApp encrypted messages by exporting them to different formats for further access and reading.

Follow these easy-to-use steps if you want to know how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages with WhatsMover:

Step 1: Download WhatsMover

Launch the WhatsMover app on your computer after downloading it. Connect your mobile device to your computer and select the Back Up WhatsApp on Devices option.

Step 2: Back Up WhatsApp Messages

After this app detects your phone, go to Back Up and select WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business data.

Step 3: Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages

To read WhatsApp encrypted messages, go back to the software's main screen and choose Restore/Export WhatsApp Backup. You can export it to HTML, XLS, CSV, etc. formats to read it.

2Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Using WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp web can be used to read the encrypted messages if you have the login information for the account you want to decrypt, as well as access to the device associated with that account.

Using the WhatsApp Web, you can sign in to WhatsApp as the person whose messages you want to view and even browse the account's complete conversation history.

Step 1: Acess the Target Phone

If you want to read WhatsApp encrypted messages, access the target phone. Open WhatsApp Web on your browser.

Step 2: Scan the Code

Open WhatsApp on your mobile device. Go to Settings and click on the QR Code option. Select Scan Code to scan the code on WhatsApp Web.

Step 3: Read WhatsApp Messages

After you scan the code, you can log in to WhatsApp Web and read the encrypted WhatsApp messages.

3Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages WhatsApp Viewer

If you want to know how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android without key, then you can use WhatsApp Viewer. All data in WhatsApp is encrypted and saved in the.crypt7/8/5/12 format. WhatsApp Viewer can help you effortlessly decode and view these encrypted messages on a rooted Android phone.

Step 1: Select Database

Go to the Storage menu on your smartphone and select WhatsApp. Click on Databases and access the msgstore.db.crypt12 WhatsApp message backup file.

Step 2: Locate Key File

Click on Files. Choose Key and locate your Key files.

Step 3: Connect your Smartphone

Connect your smartphone to a computer and save the msgstore.db.crypt12 database and the Key file to a folder on your computer.

Step 4: Open Whatsapp Viewer

Open WhatsApp Viewer on your computer, then go to Decrypt.crypt12 from the File menu.

Step 5: Import Database and Key Folder

Continue by importing the key folder and dataset into WhatsApp Viewer that you copied from your smartphone before. Before clicking OK, wait for the decoding to complete.

Step 6: Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages

When the encryption process is completed, the msgstore.decrypted. db file will be saved in the same file as the key and authentic dataset. To read encrypted WhatsApp messages, open the decrypted dataset in WhatsApp Viewer by returning to the File menu and selecting Open.

4Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Using Omni-crypt

You can also use decryption programs available on the Google Play Store like Omni-crypt to decode the database into something a person can comprehend. Without requiring root access, it can quickly decrypt the WhatsApp database.

Step 1: Install Omni-crypt

Install Omni-crypt software on your Android device and connect it to a computer via a USB cable.

Step 2: Download WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor

Go to github.com on your PC and download WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor. Locate the file WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh in the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder. Choose Properties by right-clicking on it. Select Allow running the file as a program from the Permissions tab and tick the box.

Step 3: Back Up Data

After that, open Terminal on Mac and run the WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh file, open your Android phone and select BACK UP MY DATA when it asks you to unlock your device and approve the backup procedure.

Step 4: Enable CRYPT 6-12 Backup

Wait for WhatsAppKeyDBExtract to finish restoring WhatsApp, then hit Enter to close the Terminal. Now, on your Android phone, launch Omni-crypt. ENABLE CRYPT 6-12 BACKUPS is selected, followed by DECRYPT WHATSAPP DATABASE.

Step 5: Open Extracted Folder

Go to the extracted folder in the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder. The files wa.db and msgstore.db are located here. "wa.db" keeps track of all contact information while "msgstore.db" keeps track of all messages and attachments.

Step 6: Read WhatsApp Encrypted Messages

Use the Whatsapp Viewer software and add the locations for "wa.db" and "msgstore.db". You will be able to read WhatsApp encrypted messages taken from the database after this step.

Conclusion

Due to end-to-end encryption, it is nerve-wracking to decode messages sent or received via WhatsApp. If you're not tech-savvy, you can end up wasting hours on finding a reliable solution on how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages. We recommend using WhatsMover app if you want to read WhatsApp encrypted messages as it has the most user-friendly interface and the 100% safety rate; you can use this app without technical knowledge.

How to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android without keys

One of the reasons WhatsApp is becoming one of the most popular messaging services is because of its powerful security feature. It encrypts messages end to end, so the only people who can read those messages are the sender and the recipient - unless someone else can open the sender's or recipient's phones.

But sometimes even the phone owner cannot access their phones due to technical failures. If you can't access your own phone, can you still read encrypted WhatsApp messages?

  • Part 1: WhatsApp message encryption types
  • Part 2: How to decrypt whatsapp crypt12/8 database without keys?
  • Bonus tip: How to read deleted whatsapp messages on android without root?

Part 1: WhatsApp Message Encryption Types

In September 2012, WhatsApp introduced data encryption as a security feature. This step is taken to prevent session hijacking and packet sniffing that often happened in the past. And WhatsApp uses the forms crypt2, crypt5, crypt7, crypt8 and crypt12 to encrypt all data. This means that hacking the database files to read all chat messages has become almost impossible.

But there are tricks you can use to decrypt the database without keys and supporting files. You can use this method to access your conversations.

Part 2: How to decrypt whatsapp crypt12/8 database without keys?

The trick below works when reading encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android devices. Before you start, you need to create a copy of your WhatsApp database to make sure you haven't destroyed the original file.

To do this, open Android Explorer or a file browser. Then create a new folder or SD card. Then navigate to this location on your SD card: /WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt. Then copy the msgstore.db.crypt files to the new folder you just created.

  • Method 1. (For rooted devices) Decrypt crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC
  • Method 2. (For non-rooted devices) Read crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC

Method 1. (For rooted devices) Decrypt crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC

Whatsapp encrypts all data in .crypt5/7/8/12 format. But on a rooted Android phone, you can easily decrypt and read these encrypted messages with Whatsapp Viewer.

  • Locate the backup file of your WhatsApp message, such as msgstore.db.crypt 12, in device storage / WhatsApp /Database.

  • Find your key file containing the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted file from /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.

  • Connect your phone to your computer and copy the database file named msgstore.db.crypt. and the key file to your computer.

  • Download and install Whatsapp Viewer on your computer. Open Whatsapp Viewer and navigate to File > Decrypt . crypt12.

  • Now you need to download the database file and the key file. Click on the "..." button next to the database file field to import it and do the same for the key file. After that click OK to decrypt the database file.

  • When you see the message "Database has been decrypted to msgstore.decrypted.db", decryption is complete. You will find a file called "msgstore.decrypted.db" in the folder where you stored the database file and the key file.

  • Launch the WhatsApp viewer again and click File > Open. Click on the "..." button to import the msgstore.decrypted.db file and click OK.

  • You can now select a mobile phone number in the right panel and view its chats in the left panel. You can export it in .text / .html / .json format if you like.

Method 2. (For devices without root) Read crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC

To decrypt the database into something human-readable, we can take the help of one of the decryption apps available on the Google Play store. The recommended application that you can use is Omni-crypt. It can easily decrypt whatsapp database without root. Please note that in order to decrypt a database above crypt6 version, you will need whatsapp-key-db-extractor to extract the encryption key.

  • Connect your Android phone to your computer. Download and install Omni-crypt on your Android device.
  • Download whatsapp-key-db-extractor to your computer from github.com.

  • Open the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and find the file named WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh . Right-click on it and select Properties.

  • On the Permissions tab, select the Allow executing file as a program check box.

  • After that run WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh file in Terminal on Mac.

  • When prompted to unlock your device and confirm the backup operation, open your Android phone and tap BACKUP MY DATA.

  • Wait for WhatsAppKeyDBExtract to restore WhatsApp and press Enter when finished to exit the Terminal.

  • Now open Omni-crypt on your Android phone. Click on ENABLE CRYPT BACKUP 6-12 and then click on WHATSAPP database DECRYPTION.

  • Now open the Whatsapp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and navigate to the extracted folder. Here you can see the 'msgstore.db' and 'wa.db' files. ‘msgstore.db' stores all messages along with attachments, while 'wa.db' stores all information related to contacts.

  • Use a utility called "Whatsapp Viewer" and specify the path to "msgstore.db" and "wa.db". You will see all chat messages that have been retrieved from the database.

Bonus tip: How to read deleted whatsapp messages on android without root?

That's all about how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages. These steps are a bit complicated for normal users. If you are looking for a way to read deleted WhatsApp messages, Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery offers you an easy way to recover WhatsApp messages and contacts from Android without root.

  • Step 1 After you have downloaded the software, you go to the main interface below:

  • Step 2 Then you need to login and debug usb on your android phone to connect properly.

  • Step 3Now it's time to scan and see what data has been listed. Just choose what you want to recover.

  • Step 4 Finally, successfully save the files to your computer or device and take a look at them.

Conclusion

Now you have learned how to decrypt WhatsApp database on Android phone. Even though we don't touch the original databases, there is always a chance that our actions will corrupt them. It's always best to back up your data first. And if you are looking for an easy way to read deleted WhatsApp messages on Android without root, Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery is highly recommended.

How to read encrypted Whatsapp messages on Android without keys

One of the reasons WhatsApp is becoming one of the most popular messaging services is its strong security feature. It encrypts messages end to end, so the only people who can read those messages are the sender and the recipient. But sometimes even the phone owner cannot access their phones due to technical glitches. Is it possible to read deleted messages in WhatsApp? How to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android without keys? Let's see.

  • Part 1: WhatsApp message encryption types
  • Part 2. How to read encrypted Whatsapp messages without keys?
  • Bonus tip: How to read a deleted Whatsapp message on Android without root?

Part 1: WhatsApp Message Encryption Types

In September 2012, WhatsApp implemented end-to-end encryption as one of its security features. This step is taken to prevent session hijacking and packet sniffing, which often happened in the past.

WhatsApp uses the form crypt 2, crypt5, crypt7, crypt8 and crypt 12 to encrypt all data. This means that hacking the database files to read all chat messages has become almost impossible.

But there are tricks you can use to decrypt the database without keys and support files. You can use this method to access your conversations.

Part 2. How to read deleted Whatsapp messages without keys?

The trick below works when reading encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android devices. Before you start, you need to create a copy of the WhatsApp database to make sure you don't destroy the original file.

To do this, open the Android File Explorer or File Browser. Then create a new folder or SD card. Then navigate to this location on your SD card: /WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt. Then copy the msgstore.db.crypt files to the new folder you just created.

  • Method 1. Decrypt WhatsApp crypt 12 database without key on PC(C Root)
  • Method 2. Read WhatsApp Database crypt12 without key on PC(No Root)

Method 1. Decrypt WhatsApp crypt 12 database without key on PC(C Root)

Whatsapp encrypts all data in . crypt format 5/7/8/12. But on a rooted Android phone, you can easily decrypt and read these encrypted messages with Whatsapp Viewer.

  • Locate the backup file of your WhatsApp message, such as msgstore.db.crypt 12, in Device Storage/WhatsApp/Database.

  • Find your key file containing the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted file from /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.

  • Connect your phone to your computer and copy the Database file named msgstore.db.crypt. and the key file to your computer.

  • Download and install Whatsapp Viewer on your computer. Open Whatsapp Viewer and go to File > Decrypt .crypt12.

  • Now you need to download the Database file and the key file. Click on the "..." button next to the Database file field to import it and do the same for the key file. Then click OK to decrypt the Database.

  • When you see the message "Database is decrypted to msgstore.decrypted.db", decryption is complete. You will find a file named "msgstore.decrypted.db" in the folder where you stored the Database file and the key file.

  • Launch WhatsApp viewer again and click File > Open. Click on the "..." button to import your msgstore.decrypted.db file and click OK.

  • You can now select a mobile phone number in the right panel and view its chats in the left panel. You can export it in .text / .html / .json format if you like.

Method 2. Read WhatsApp Database crypt12 without key on PC(No Root)

To decrypt Database into something human readable, we can use one of the decryption apps available on the Google Play Store. The recommended application that you can use is Omni-crypt. It can easily decrypt Database WhatsApp without root. Please note that in order to decrypt Database above crypt6 version, you will need WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to extract the encryption key.

  • Connect your Android phone to your computer. Download and install Omni-crypt on your Android device.
  • Download WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to your computer from github.com.

  • Open the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and find the file named WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh. Right click on it and select "Properties".

  • On the Permissions tab, check the box before allowing the file to run as a program.

  • After that, by running WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh file in terminal on Mac.

  • When prompted to unlock your device and confirm the backup operation, open your Android phone and tap BACK UP MY DATA.

  • Wait for WhatsAppKeyDBExtract to restore WhatsApp and press Enter when finished to exit the terminal.

  • Now open Omni-crypt on your Android phone. Click ENABLE CRYPT 6-12 BACKUPS and then click DECRYPT WHATSAPP DATABASE.

  • Now open the Whatsapp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and navigate to the extracted folder. Here you can see "msgstore.db" and "wa.db" files. "msgstore. db" stores all messages along with attachments, while "wa.db" stores all information related to contacts.

  • Use a utility called "Whatsapp Viewer" and specify the path to "msgstore.db" and "wa.db". You will see all chat messages that have been retrieved from the database.

Bonus tip: How to read a deleted Whatsapp message on Android without root?

This is all about how to read encrypted whatsapp messages. But the steps are a bit complicated for normal users. If you want to know how to read deleted WhatsApp messages, Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery offers you an easy way to recover and read deleted WhatsApp messages from Android without root.